Planting for Pollinators

What do apples, almonds, blueberries, citrus, melons, pears, plums, pumpkins, and squash have in common? They all need pollinators.

Most gardeners are familiar with the important role that bees and other pollinators play in fertilization of plants in their garden. Pollinators transfer pollen from one flower to another, fertilizing the plant and starting the process of fruit and seed production. Good pollination results in hearty fruits with viable seeds. Pollinators are so important that growers often rent honeybee hives to ensure that they will have a successful harvest.

Unfortunately bee populations are declining. While there are many factors, it is thought that habitat loss, disease, bee parasites, and inappropriate and excessive pesticide use contribute to the loss of pollinators.

Photo by Karen Sabath, local beekeeper

How Gardeners Can Help

You know how much pollinators do for your garden, now you can do something for the pollinators. In addition to eliminatingĀ use of chemical fertilizers and toxic pesticides on your lawn and in your gardens, you can also plant for pollinators by following these tips.

CHOOSE VARIETY

Choose a variety of plants that will provide blooms from early spring to late fall.

Choose plants of various heights, colors, shapes and sizes to attract different pollinators.

Choose colors that bees love: blue, purple, and yellow:

Flat or shallow blossoms, such as daisies, zinnias, asters, Queen Anneās lace, will attract the largest variety of bees.

Long-tongued bees will be attracted to plants in the mint family such as nepeta, salvia, oregano, mint and lavender.

Long-tongued bumblebees are attracted to flowers with hidden nectar spurs such as larkspur, monkshood, monarda, columbine and snapdragons.

CHOOSE NATIVE

Plant wildflowers and native species. According to the Penn State Center for Pollinator Research, bees are four times more attracted to native plants than non-native plants. Find what you are looking for atĀ theĀ Native Plant Sale at Rosedale Nurseries (to benefit the Native Plant Center), September 12 & 13.

Avoid double blooms. Modern hybrid flowers that have been modified to produce large, double blooms have less nectar and pollen than flowers with one ring of petals.